Raitha Siri Scheme
₹10,000 per hectare direct benefit transfer for growing ragi, jowar, foxtail, little or kodo millet, plus subsidy on processing and branding.
Run by: Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka
- DBT rate
- ₹10,000/hectare
- Crops covered
- Ragi, jowar, foxtail, little, kodo millet
- Verification
- State crop survey (Bhoo Samruddhi)
- Extra support
- 50% subsidy on processing/branding
- First introduced
- 2019-20 budget, ~₹10cr pilot grant
- Expanded
- 2023-24, International Year of Millets
Overview
Raitha Siri pays a flat per-hectare incentive to farmers who grow minor millets — ragi, jowar, foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet and similar nutri-cereals — verified through the state's crop survey rather than a separate paper application.
On top of the cultivation incentive, the scheme also subsidises processing and branding equipment so millet growers and their FPOs can sell cleaned, packaged grain instead of raw produce.
Raitha Siri was first introduced in Karnataka's 2019-20 budget as a modest pilot, with an initial grant of around ₹10 crore. It was substantially expanded in the 2023-24 budget under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, timed to the United Nations' International Year of Millets (2023), keeping the same ₹10,000-per-hectare rate but pushing harder on area expansion, production and productivity statewide.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- ₹10,000 per hectare paid directly to the farmer's bank account for millet cultivation.
- Covers ragi, jowar, foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet and other minor millets.
- 50% subsidy on processing and branding equipment for individual farmers or FPOs.
- Verification through the existing crop survey — no separate field inspection visit needed in most cases.
- Significantly scaled up in the 2023-24 budget as part of Karnataka's push during the International Year of Millets.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- Farmer cultivating an eligible minor millet in Karnataka
- Crop details captured in the state's crop survey (Bhoo Samruddhi/FRUITS)
- Land and Aadhaar linked in the Frooti/FID farmer database
Not covered
- Major cereals like paddy or wheat — the incentive is specific to minor millets
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- FID (Farmer ID) registration
- Land record (RTC/Pahani)
- Bank passbook
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Get FID registration done
Register on the Karnataka Farmer ID (FID) system if not already done — this is the base record the scheme checks.
- 2
Ensure the millet crop is recorded in the crop survey
Confirm the field officer has recorded the minor millet crop under your holding during the seasonal crop survey.
- 3
Receive the DBT
Once verified, the ₹10,000/hectare incentive is credited directly to the linked bank account.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- If your millet crop isn't reflected in the crop survey or the DBT hasn't come through, raise it first with your Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK).
- If unresolved, escalate to Janaspandana (iPGRS) — Karnataka's general public-grievance system — on the toll-free helpline 1902, through the portal at ipgrs.karnataka.gov.in, or at a Bapuji Seva Kendra.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to submit a separate application form?
Mostly no — the payment is triggered from crop-survey data, but check with your Raitha Samparka Kendra if your millet crop isn't showing up.
Is the ₹10,000 per acre or per hectare?
Per hectare — the incentive scales down proportionally for smaller plots.
Can an FPO claim the processing subsidy on behalf of members?
Yes, the 50% processing/branding subsidy can be availed by registered FPOs handling members' millet produce.
Is Raitha Siri a brand-new scheme?
No — it was first introduced as a modest pilot in the 2019-20 budget with around ₹10 crore, then substantially expanded in the 2023-24 budget under CM Basavaraj Bommai as part of Karnataka's push during the UN's International Year of Millets, at the same ₹10,000/hectare rate.
Is there a minimum land size to qualify?
Some sources mention a 1-hectare minimum, but this isn't confirmed in the scheme's own current guidance, and the incentive is described as scaling proportionally for smaller plots — confirm your exact situation with your Raitha Samparka Kendra.
Facts checked against raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in on 8 September 2026. editorial policy.